What item of clothing should every wardrobe contain?

[coffeetofunction]

I'm going to spend time this year building my wardrobe up & I wonder what items people think every woman needs in their wardrobe?

I think a good pair of fitting jeans & a black blazer...

What else?

[Hopefully]

It's so lifestyle and personality, dependent, isn't it? For me it would be one or all of skinnies, biker boots, decent blazer/biker jacket, the perfect longline tshirt and vest and a dark coloured bodycon dress for all lunch/party occasions.

[Hopefully]

And no black - makes me look like a corpse. Dark grey or navy much more likely to be flattering to more people IMO.

[yearofthehorse]

Agree with you Skinny. I suspect that the charity shops will be groaning with leather biker jackets in a couple of years.

[frankietwospots]

A denim shirt (soft fabric with maybe a bit of Tencel in it ideally). Wear open with a slouchy grey top underneath or a stripey top. So versatile. I picked mine up from a charity shop and wore it to death over the summer.

[Tanaqui]

I also v rarely wear the lovely blazer I own. I say:

Swimsuit that fits
Good bra
Sports bra
Some kind of exercise clothes
Trainers
Jeans/ casual trousers for a muddy walk
Warm jumper/ fleece
Waterproof coat
Party dress
Work outfit- suit, shift dress, uniform- whatever suits what you do!
Casual outfit for meal in pizza express type night out.

[BlueEyedWonder]

The trouble with this is we end up filling our wardrobes with what we think we should be wearing rather than what we actually want to wear. This is something I'm trying to avoid doing this year.
I used to think every wardrobe should have a white shirt but I never wear them.

[Hopefully]

White also awful on me blue. You're right, all those wardrobe essentials like a classic blazer, a classic shirt (in fact, anything remotely classic) look dire on me. For me, my leather leggings and a pair of biker boots will always get tons more wear than anything even vaguely sophisticated.

[mewkins]

I also look rubbish in a white shirt. And I also can't be bothered with the laundering required to make them look good.

[looki]

White also awful on me blue. You're right, all those wardrobe essentials like a classic blazer, a classic shirt (in fact, anything remotely classic) look dire on me.

I agree so much with the above. I ALWAYS look like I'm going for an interview as a waitress if I try on that look. I also think black and white look absolutely awful together. Navy/charcoal suit my complexion better.

[42bunnytails]

I need a new long pencil skirt and blazer. They may get worn once a year, but just occasionally even SAHM need to look conventionally smart.

For me my feel good items are long boots, jeans that fit, Breton tops without fucking 3/4 sleeves and really decent thick leggings that do my kind of smart with a decent tunic.
Also a pair of really comfy 'mum boots' the perfect walk all day sandals and a proper sports swimming costume. (I'm relatively small of boob, I cannot stand shaped, padded and style costumes or that abomination the bikini)

Exercise clothes assume exercise (bar swimming) that ain't happening.

[42bunnytails]

And I totally agree not a white blouse.
With longish hair, glasses and an allergy to heels, I look just like I did going to school, but wrinkly.

[Greengardenpixie]

For me:
Some black decent leggings to wear with tunics and dresses when its cold.
Jeans in whatever shape you like.
Cardigans - I get too hot.
Long sleeved tees in a variety of colours..thick and thin enough to wear as a layer.
A good coat for winter made of wool.
A coat for the rain with a hood.
A lightweight jacket for that odd summer shower/chill.
Some longline tops or tunics for wear over leggings if long enough or jeans.
Plain little black dress - to dress up or down.
Pair of smart trousers.
A pair of boots.
Trainers
Shoes in black.
A jumper.
A few tops and skirts to mix and match.

[WhereIsMyFurryHat]

Totally agree with MrsSkinny biker fucking jackets.

I went on a 24 woman hen do and I was the only person who didn't have a biker jacket. It was -2 c for fuck sake.

[WhereIsMyFurryHat]

Ok, so things everyone needs. A good pair of black heels, black leather bag. Same for brown.

A good blazer. A good wool coat.

Just timeless things you'll never tire of like biker jackets

[mowglik]

lol mrsSkinny a quote from Pearl Lowe
I wish I'd never worn... the most foul concoction ever, a biker jacket, with peroxide blonde hair and, heaven forbid, a pair of cowboy boots. There's a photo of it, which Danny shows our friends whenever the opportunity arises.

(Was randomly reading this few weeks ago and laughed cos biker jackets and cowboy boots are in right now)

[Hopefully]

42 I laughed at 'without fucking 3/4 sleeves.' I feel the same about half sleeves (those weird just-above-the-elbow things). It's either a t-shirt or it's got long sleeves. Don't fuck around with this middle ground business.

looki I had this weird fear when I saw my words in bold at the top of your post that it was going to be followed by 'this woman is talking a load of shit,' or words to that effect. I like it more that you agree with me .

Biker jackets are awesome

[Doobigetta]

Totally agree about white shirts. They must be the dullest, least imaginative clothing ever. They aren't even comfortable, and they don't look good. And the combination of "classic shirt" and jeans screams "Suburban American Mom" to me. I've no idea if real suburban American moms wear them, but every single one on telly does.

[42bunnytails]

Also all my 3/4 length sleeves seem to shrink, one really stupid top now has sleeves that creep above my elbows when I'm driving. It's feels very odd, apart from being cold!

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

I know it's clique to say but every women needs an LBD. They suit all occasions. I've worn my for work and for a night out, and I look entirely differnt

[GreyjoysAnatomy]

I honestly think that other than a decent bra and an outfit comfy enough for slobbing about the house in, there really isn't any one item that should feature in every wardrobe.

My go to clothes are either skinnies, cowboy boots and slouchy jumpers or skater dresses with cardis and leggings/tights. I also wear a strappy vest top under everything every single day. That is what looks good on me, but that won't necessarily be the case for another woman.

I think as long as you have clothes that fit well, look nice and are weather appropriate, you're doing fine

I also agree on the biker jackets, they are awful

[ninawish]

so with you Skinny on the biker jackets - when they (alongside biker boots) very first became trendy before I knew they were trendy I went to a meeting (I work in media so rammed with hyper trendies) I genuinely wondered why 3 of the women my age (ie 40s) were wearing clodhopping biker boots alongside their Botox (my family are into motorcycling so I grew up with racers and found it most bizarre to see women plonking around in the things) and also thought why the heck are you wearing leather biker jackets??? makes me cringe now to see them on anyone who isn't either protecting their skin and riding a bike or a youngster into fashion

[Eastpoint]

A plain wool/cashmere jumper to keep you warm & instantly make you look smart - can put a necklace or scarf on to add personality.
A dress/smart top & trousers you can wear to weddings or other smart daytime events, with sleeves so it can be worn winter or summer.
A dress/smart top & trousers you can wear to parties or a smart restaurant.
Something plain you can wear to funerals.
If you have two smart outfits as above you don't need to go out hunting for clothes when you receive invitations. The same applies to having a funeral outfit - sadly also a necessity.

[Ohwhatfuckeryisthis]

A nice waterfall cardigan.
says the woman with three of the things

[zinnia]

What WildFlowers said. I am a firm believer that a good bag and a good pair of shoes make an outfit.

Agree with most of above, would also add a Breton-style stripy top and classic grey marl sweatshirt, just because between them they go with pretty much anything.

Do think a lightweight jacket in navy or black (according to preference), whether a blazer shape or not (eg a Chanel-style round-neck if that's more your style) is really useful; can wear with jeans and a t-shirt, or over a skirt + top or a dress, under a coat when it's cold etc.